Ichsan Ichsan

The waning immunity following the COVID-19 vaccination become a significant concern and the immunological dynamics of vaccine-induced antibodies after vaccination need to be explored. The aim of this study was to compare anti-SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) antibody levels before and after a booster dose with heterologous COVID-19 vaccine and to identify factors influencing the levels after receiving the booster dose. A cross-sectional study was conducted in which individuals who received primary doses of CoronaVac and a booster dose with an mRNA-based vaccine were recruited using a purposive sampling technique. The titers of anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD antibodies were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and plausible associated factors were collected using a questionnaire-assisted face-to-face interview. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare the titers before and after the booster dose, while the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests, followed by multivariate linear regression, were used to assess the factors associated with RBD total antibody titers. The results showed that there was a significant increase of anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD total antibody titers before and after receiving the booster dose (1,558.7 BAU/mL vs 140.6 BAU/mL, p<0.001). The analysis revealed that age (p=0.555), sex (p=0.254), type of vaccine (p=0.914), presence of hypertension (p=0.541), diabetes (p=0.975), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, p=0.620), and gout (p=0.364) were not associated with anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD total antibody titers. However, the titers of anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD total antibody were significantly different between those with and without hyperlipidemia (p=0.021). This study suggests that a booster dose with a heterologous COVID-19 vaccine could significantly enhance immune responses against COVID-19, and therefore, this strategy may be recommended as part of preventive measures to strengthen immunity against COVID-19.

The World Health Organization (WHO) developed the Safe Childbirth Checklist (SCC) to increase the application of essential birth practices to ultimately reduce perinatal and maternal deaths. We study the effects of the SCC on health workers safety culture, in the framework of a cluster-randomized controlled trial (16 treatment facilities/16 control facilities). We introduced the SCC in combination with a medium intensity coaching in health facilities which already offered at minimum basic emergency obstetric and newborn care (BEMonC). We assess the effects of using the SCC on 14 outcome variables measuring self-perceived information access, information transmission, frequency of errors, workload and access to resources at the facility level. We apply Ordinary Least Square regressions to identify an Intention to Treat Effect (ITT) and Instrumental Variable regressions to determine a Complier Average Causal Effect (CACE). The results suggest that the treatment significantly improved self-assessed attitudes regarding the probability of calling attention to problems with patient care (ITT 0.6945 standard deviations) and the frequency of errors in times of excessive workload (ITT -0.6318 standard deviations). Moreover, self-assessed resource access increased (ITT 0.6150 standard deviations). The other eleven outcomes were unaffected. The findings suggest that checklists can contribute to an improvement in some dimensions of safety culture among health workers. However, the complier analysis also highlights that achieving adherence remains a key challenge to make checklists effective.

This study aims to This study aims to determine the effect of halal labels and celebrity endorsements on purchasing decisions for MS Glow Cosmetic Products (MS Glow Consumer Study in Lhokseumawe City). The data used in this study are primary data of 91 respondents. The method used to analyze the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable is multiple linear regression analysis. The results showed that partially the halal label had a positive and significant effect on purchasing decisions for MS Glow Brand Cosmetic Products in Lhokseumawe City and signifikan level 0,000, Celebrity endorsements had a positive and significant effect on purchasing decisions for MS Glow Brand Cosmetic Products in Lhokseumawe City and signifikan level 0,041. Simultaneously Halal Label and Celebrity endorsement have a positive and significant effect on purchasing decisions for MS Glow Brand Cosmetic Products in Lhokseumawe City and signifikan level 0,000.

Background: The decrease of immunity acquired from COVID-19 vaccines is a potential cause of breakthrough infection. Understanding the dynamics of immune responses of vaccine-induced antibodies post-vaccination is important. This study aimed to measure the level of anti-SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) total antibody in individuals at different time points upon the receipt of the second dose of CoronaVac vaccine, as well as evaluate the plausible associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among CoronaVac-vaccinated residents in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. The level of anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD total antibody was measured using Elecsys immunoassay. A set of standardized and validated questionnaires were used to assess the demographics and other associated factors. Results: Our results showed waning anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD total antibody titres over time post-vaccination. Compared to samples of the first month post-vaccination, the antibody titres were significantly lower than those of five-months (mean 184.6 vs. 101.8 U/mL, p = 0.009) and six-months post-vaccination (mean 184.6 vs. 95.59 U/mL, p = 0.001). This suggests that the length of time post-vaccination was negatively correlated with titre of antibody. A protective level of antibody titres (threshold of 15 U/mL) was observed from all the samples vaccinated within one to three months; however, only 73.7% and 78.9% of the sera from five- and six-months possessed the protective titres, respectively. The titre of antibody was found significantly higher in sera of individuals having a regular healthy meal intake compared to those who did not (mean 136.7 vs. 110.4 U/mL, p = 0.044), including in subgroup analysis that included those five to six months post-vaccination only (mean 79.0 vs. 134.5 U/mL, p = 0.009). Conclusions: This study provides insights on the efficacy of CoronaVac vaccine in protecting individuals against SARS-CoV-2 infection over time, which may contribute to future vaccination policy management to improve and prolong protective strategy.

Degenerative diseases, such as osteoporosis, could be treated by stem cells. The aim of this study was to identify the gene expression of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) derived from Sprague Dawley rats and to assess the effect of Cissus quadrangularis Salisb. extract on their maturation into bone cells. The BM-MSC were divided into three groups: (a) BM-MSCs + osteoblast cell growth basal medium as the positive control; (b) BM-MSCs + Dulbecco’s modified eagle’s medium (DMEM) + 0.3 mg/mL methanol extract of C. quadrangularis as methanol group; and (c) BM-MSC + DMEM + 0.3 mg/mL ethyl acetate extract of C. quadrangularis as ethyl acetate group. A relative quantification approach using was used to analyze the expression of the alp (alkaline phosphatase) gene, with the beta-actin gene was used to normalize the expression of the alp gene. The intra-assay variation was calculated to validate the RT-qPCR data. Our study found that the intra-assay variation value was acceptable, with most of the coefficients of variability (CV) value C. quadrangularis. In the ethyl acetate extract group, the expression of the alp gene increased three times compared to the positive control. In methanol extract group, the expression of alp gene was lower six times compared to positive control. This study suggests that C. quadrangularis extracts using ethyl acetate could induce the maturation of BM-MSCs. However, further studies are warrant to confirm this effect using different indicators.

This study examined the effect of the principle of Ijarah on farmers' income (a case study at Dayah Meuria Village, Syamtalyra Aron subdistrict, North Aceh Regency). This study used primary data obtained by distributing questionnaires to 85 respondents using nonprobability sampling. The data analysis method used was PLS with the help of the SmartPLS (Partial Least Square) application program.. The results indicated that the principle of Ijarah significantly affected farmers' income at Dayah Meuria Village, Syamtalyra Aron subdistrict, North Aceh Regency.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into nerve cells with an induction from chemical compounds in medium culture. Chromolaena odorata contains active compounds, such as alkaloids and flavonoids, that can initiate the transformation of MSCs into nerve cells. The aim of this study was to determine the potential of methanol extracted C. odorata leaf to induce the differentiation of bone marrow MSCs into nerve cells. Methods: A serial concentration of C. odorata leaf extract (0.7–1.0 mg/mL) with two replications was used. The parameters measured were the number of differentiated MSCs into nerve cells (statistically analyzed using ANOVA) and cell confirmation using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The results showed that the C. odorata extract had a significant effect on the number MSCs differentiating into nerve cells (p < 0.05) on the doses of 0.8 mg/ml with 22.6%. Molecular assay with RT-PCR confirmed the presence of the nerve cell gene in all of the samples. Conclusions: In conclusion, this study showed the potential application of C. odorata leaf extract in stem cell therapy for patients experiencing neurodegeneration by inducing the differentiation of MSCs into nerve cells.

Background: The decrease of immunity acquired from COVID-19 vaccines is a potential cause of breakthrough infection. Understanding the dynamics of immune responses of vaccine-induced antibodies post-vaccination is important. This study aimed to measure the level of neutralizing antibody (NAb) anti-SRBD in individuals at different time points upon the receipt of the second dose of CoronaVac vaccine, as well as evaluate the plausible associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among CoronaVac-vaccinated residents in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. The level of NAb titre was measured using Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S immunoassay. A set of standardized and validated questionnaires were used to assess the demographics and other plausible associated factors. Results: Our results showed waning SARS-Cov-2 NAb titres over time post-vaccination. Compared to samples of the first month post-vaccination, the levels of NAb titres were significantly lower than those of five-months (mean 184.6 vs. 101.8 IU/mL, p = 0.009) and six-months post-vaccination (mean 184.6 vs. 95.59 IU/mL, p = 0.001). This suggests that the length of time post-vaccination was negatively correlated with antibody anti-SRBD titre. A protective level of NAbs titres (threshold of 15 IU/mL) was observed from all the samples vaccinated within one to three months; however, only 73.7% and 78.9% of the sera from five- and six-months possessed the protective titres against SARS-CoV-2, respectively. The titre of NAb anti-SRBD was found significantly higher in sera of individuals having a regular healthy meal intake compared to those who did not (mean 136.7 vs. 110.4 IU/mL, p = 0.044), including in subgroup analysis that included those five to six months post-vaccination only (mean 79.0 vs. 134.5 IU/mL, p = 0.009). Conclusions: This study provides insights on the efficacy of CoronaVac vaccine in protecting individuals against SARS-CoV-2 infection over time, which may contribute to future vaccination policy management to improve and prolong protective strategy.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into nerve cells with an induction from chemical compounds in medium culture. Chromolaena odorata contains active compounds, such as alkaloids and flavonoids, that can initiate the transformation of MSCs into nerve cells. The aim of this study was to determine the potential of methanol extracted C. odorata leaf to induce the differentiation of bone marrow MSCs into nerve cells. Methods: A serial concentration of C. odorata leaf extract (0.7–1.0 mg/mL) with two replications was used. The parameters measured were the number of differentiated MSCs into nerve cells (statistically analyzed using ANOVA) and cell confirmation using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The results showed that the C. odorata extract had a significant effect on the number MSCs differentiating into nerve cells (p < 0.05) on the doses of 0.8 mg/ml with 22.6%. Molecular assay with RT-PCR confirmed the presence of the nerve cell gene in all of the samples. Conclusions: In conclusion, this study showed the potential application of C. odorata leaf extract in stem cell therapy for patients experiencing neurodegeneration by inducing the differentiation of MSCs into nerve cells.